BANGOR — The Navy invites the public to comment on a supplemental environmental assessment on the explosives-handling wharf pile replacement project at the Bangor submarine base on Hood Canal.
The supplement is the result of changes to the project and the appearance of unexpected marine mammals since the original environmental assessment was issued.
Humpback whales rarely had visited Hood Canal the past several decades, but one showed up in January and February.
Steller sea lions weren’t expected during the July-to-October construction window, but they were seen in October.
The removal of piles and pneumatic chipping is now expected to end Feb. 15, 2013, instead of Oct. 31 this year.
The Navy is removing and installing piles on the 35-year-old wharf to keep it structurally sound.
The wharf is where ballistic missiles are loaded and unloaded from eight Trident submarines at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
The base in Kitsap County is about 40 road miles south of Port Townsend and across Hood Canal from rural Jefferson County.
Written comments can be sent to Commanding Officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, Attn: Ms. Leslie Yuenger — Public Affairs Officer, 1101 Tautog Circle, Silverdale, WA 98315; or to leslie.yuenger@navy.mil.
They must be postmarked or emailed by May 11.
A copy of the environmental assessment is available at http://tinyurl.com/navyportal.
The Navy also is completing environmental paperwork that will allow it to build a second explosives-handling wharf at Bangor.
Provided permits aren’t delayed, construction will begin in July and continue 42 to 48 months.